Several years ago, state Representative Terri Proud, Queen of the Teabaggers, accused Pima County of misusing bond money during a fight over Marana laying claim to a county wastewater treatment plant, and demanded a state audit. The Tea-Publican legislature approved the state audit and — shockers! — Pima County passed with flying colors. The State Auditor General’s Office determined the bonds had been effectively managed and administered without bias. For the full report see: bd-auditor.general.bond.audit.report.pdf.

Miller and her right-wing allies from the Taxpayers Against Pima Bonds political committee are the force behind No on Pima County Bonds. Political committee opposes Pima County bond proposals. No on Pima County Bonds is opposed to any of the bonds passing, including the bonds for street improvements.

Pima County voters will decide on seven bond packages totaling more than $815.7 million in the general election Nov. 3 (early voting begins Oct. 8). The bond questions, which appear on the ballot as propositions, are divided into themed categories, with each including specific projects.

Prop. 430: Natural Area Conservation and Historic Preservation. $112 million

Prop. 431: Flood Control and Drainage. $17 million

The bonds would fund projects across Pima County.

The projects included were reviewed and selected from a lengthy list of requests by the 25-member Pima County Bond Advisory Committee.

The committee, which comprises residents representing the county, every city and town and two tribal governments, made its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which approved the projects to go before voters.

If all seven bond propositions pass, the owner of a home valued at about $152,000 — the average in Pima County — would pay roughly $18 more on their secondary property tax bill next year.

That amount would be less, of course, if not all bond proposals pass.

Mention bonds and Pima County in the same sentence and you’ll often hear allegations that the county has misspent money from previous bonds, that projects weren’t completed as described, that the money was moved around.

The accusations aren’t true, according to a 2013 state audit of Pima County’s 1997, 2004 and 2006 General Obligation bond programs.

In fact, the Arizona Auditor General commended the county for its bond process and projects.

Such assertions, many of which were lobbed by elected and government officials during the county’s fight with Marana over a wastewater treatment plant, prompted legislation in 2012 that required the Arizona Auditor General to investigate how the county handles bonds.

From the report:

“The County spent the (bond) proceeds in accordance with the voter-authorized purposes on projects approved by the Committee and the Board. In addition, through May 2012 the County had completed 477 of the 513 projects, or 93 percent, on or before the Board’s approved completion dates. Further, any changes in the approved allocation of bond proceeds or the approved completion dates of the projects were approved by the Board, without any indication in the Board’s records that changes were made to reward or punish an entity, party, or official who stood to benefit from or be affected by the project.”

This doesn’t mean changes weren’t made, but when they were, the Board of Supervisors reviewed and approved them and followed the proper procedure.

The audit also praised Pima County for the inclusive way it approaches bonds, focusing on projects that benefit the public most, no matter where they are, and working with other jurisdictions.

Voters have much to evaluate when considering the upcoming bond elections. The amount of money is significant — the full cost will be about $1 billion over the course of the bonds’ life.

But it’s crucial the proposals be judged on their own merits, instead of disproven allegations that Pima County has mishandled prior bond programs.

In November, voters in Pima County will have the opportunity to decide what kind of community we want. The improvements we need are embodied in a seven-question Pima County bond package. Voters will be able to vote on each of the seven questions individually. The Tucson Metro Chamber Board of Directors has examined the seven questions and endorses a YES vote on each.

Unfortunately, the “just say no to everything” crowd is already circling this important community issue. Myth, distortion and fear are their tactics, hoping to scare the uneducated into voting “no” in a vacuum of facts. So get the facts.

“If you don’t change, how can you get better?” Those words came from executive leadership consultant Bill Graham during his recent appearance here in Tucson. In November, voters will have a say in their quality of life, their children’s future and the ability of Pima County to compete for greater economic prosperity. Please get the facts and urge others to approve the bond package. If you would like to have a speaker visit with your company or organization, please contact me at mvarney@tucsonchamber.org.

If we don’t invest in ourselves, rest assured no one else will. This November, vote YES on Pima County bonds.

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